Microsoft, Best Buy Partner Up on Certification
5/23/2006 -- Consumer electronics retailer Best Buy has trained 300 Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) on its way to a goal of 900 MCPs as it ramps up its services capabilities for a major push into small business sales.
The Microsoft Training business unit unveiled the numbers on Thursday to highlight the adoption of its certifications by a major retailer.
| -- advertisement (story continued below) -- |
|
|
Earlier this year, Microsoft’s partner organization called attention to Best Buy’s efforts to play by Microsoft certification rules when the Minneapolis-based company became the first national retailer to attain Gold Certified Partner status
Best Buy is doing the training within its Best Buy for Business division. At the store level, Best Buy for Business consists of a kiosk, employees and some business-focused IT equipment. Outside the stores, Best Buy for Business reaches out to customers through a Web site, an outbound sales calling operation and field sales agents. The goal is to leverage Best Buy’s store foot traffic and name recognition to grow beyond the home electronics and home office markets into small business IT sales and services.
At last count, Best Buy for Business hung its shingle inside about 115 stores. The company plans to double the number of locations with Best Buy for Business components this calendar year, and eventually the retail giant hopes to sell servers, networking gear and services to small businesses from nearly all of its 940 North American outlets.
According to Microsoft, the Best Buy for Business unit has trained more than 300 sales and service experts to the MCP level since starting the training last year. All of the Best Buy for Business store-based Business Technology Specialists and field-based Business Technology Consultants must pass an MCP exam covering Windows Small Business Server 2003, which is a key product of Best Buy for Business.
Best Buy’s Geek Squad, the black-and-white Volkswagon-driving “Special Agents” who help with on-site small business implementations in the Best Buy for Business operation, are also getting some of the MCP training. There are about 12,000 Geek Squad employees.
By the end of 2006, Best Buy plans on having more than 900 employees complete their MCPs, according to Microsoft. The figure is consistent with statements Best Buy executives have made to financial analysts in recent months.
Best Buy for Business is setting up its own learning portal, incorporating Microsoft’s next generation of certifications, for use by its employees later this year. Meanwhile, the company is also requiring some employees to earn the more involved Microsoft Certified System Engineer certification. -Scott Bekker, courtesy of RCPmag.com
|
There are 23  user Comments for “Microsoft, Best Buy Partner Up on Certification”
|
|
Page 2 of 3
|
| 6/10/06: Billy Mac from Houston says: |
This just reminds me of Best Buy forcing all its checkout people to say "you need a warranty" or "Do you want a magazine subscription". Best Buy is trying to corner the market on the IT field because of its advertisment power and company name. Bottom line they are just about profit. By taking this role for the business market, their IT staff will be like assembly workers, Productive yes, but not always the smartest with real world business solutions. I can only say this approach will only increase my workload as a professional IT consultant with 20 years experience. For every mistake the "Geek Squad" makes, I'm called in to repair. Bottom line is you can hire many "Geek Squad" members at a low rate and have them come out multiple times or you can hire a professional IT consultant with many years in the "Real World" that cost a little more, but will resolve the issue one time. Thank you Best Buy for helping my business make more money. |
| 6/10/06: lcarter from Missouri says: |
Overaualified actually means they were not willing to pay you what you were worth for having the cert. I've been on both sides. Experience but no certs, and they say sorry need the certs. Got the certs now they say "So What". Like I mentioned I have the experience (since 1977) and I went back to school several years ago, got an associate's degree, got 4 certs which I passed on the first attempt, and now I work for a great company repairing printers and computers, and the boss will foot the bill for training and certs. Our company does the small business sector in addition to managed and professional services. Best Buy might get some business but they are not going to get it all no matter what they do. AND, Best Buy's prices are way more than what we charge customers. SO, the formula equals low paid Geeks plus exorbitant pricing equals maximum dollars for Best Buy. And that's the bottom line. |
| 6/11/06: Ray from Houston,TX says: |
I am a IT Director for a local International company with a Degree, MCP,MCSA,MCSE and over 12 years of expierence in the field. I read alot posts like these and I must say that I have yet to see a single reasonable reason why Techies get so upset when they see a company like this one announce their people must get certified. Anyone can put a CD in a computer and install an operating system, weather you are certified or not. But very few can provide an solution to a small business that is custom fit for that business. Those of you who complain about certs that have expierence, why dont you stop complaining and get the certs? In the real world, the industry is shifting to employ people who have expierence, an education, certifications and an understanding of how a business actually works. Two thumbs up for Best Buy, they are not there yet but they are headed in the right direction. I would not hire anyone on my staff without certifications and an education, this means they are trainable! |
| 6/15/06: Larrywestmcsd from Louisville, KY says: |
Anyone who wants to join their "Geek Squad City" should go to http://www.greaterlouisvilleworks.com/jobsearchdetails.asp?jobid=34504 GreaterLouisvilleWorks lists the salary as somewhere between $20,000 and $40,000 -- too low for me. Note that it says "Must pass Best Buy Certification test within 90 days of hire or promotion to position." Does anyone know if they are refering to the MCP or A plus, or do they have a separate certification exam? Trivia: Bullitt County, where the Geek Squad City is located, was the northernmost county in the US to vote for George Wallace for President back in 1968. Their motto is "Where the South begins." I live about five miles away from their plant (in Louisville itself) and will answer any questions anyone has about the area. |
| 7/2/06: Brian Mc from Port Richey FL says: |
I do have a question. I was wondering where exactly the plant is? I used to live in Lousivlle and was looking to move back and this plant would prove the best opportunity for me to do so at the present point in time. Was curious as to where it is exactlyand if its open yet.. or if there is a planned time they expect it to be open? Couldnt quite find the location on google maps. :) Thanks |
| 7/3/06: larrywestmcsd from Louisville, KY says: |
Brian: Since you haven't been in Louisville lately, then you may be unaware that they have added a new interchange on I-65 south of I-265 and north of Shepherdsville several years ago, complete with a Pilot truck stop, several motels, and a Tumbleweeds restaurant. This is "Brooks" and the plant, which is supposed to be open "later this year" (which surprises me since the groundbreaking was in May), is located near the southeast corner of the exit somewhat behind the truck stop. This area has been hit by at least three tornados in the last few years. |
| 7/5/06: Brian MC from Port Richey, FL says: |
Thanks, yeah, I was able to finally find the location using google maps. I worked off of Blue Lick during the tornadoes that came thru a few years back. So, I do have an idea of the area. I do recall the area a bit of Brooks when it was growing up. Getting the several restaurants, truck stops and the thing I remember most was the Crackerbarrel restaurant there. Thanks for the reply. I guess I will put in an application in a few months. :) |
| 7/8/06: GOLO from NY says: |
I need to know what MCSE certifications I should go for now. Do I need to start with 70-210? Golo |
| 7/9/06: larrywestmcsd from Louisville, KY says: |
Brian, hope to be working with you :) -- I've applied as a manager through greaterlouisvilleworks [see above post], but have yet to hear from them. If they do hire me (and personally, I think they would be stupid not to - lol), I'll consider you. Considering how slow they have been getting back to me, I would recommend that you apply now. To GOLO: If you just want to pass an exam to become an MCP, I found the 70-210 to be quite easy, but then, I've been in computers since the days of the TRS-80 [which, by the way, I helped develop]. Otherwise, I would recommend at this point that you take 70-270 (Windows XP) instead of 70-210 (Windows 2000) unless you have more experience using Windows 2000, although either is a step towards the MCSE or MCSA. Actually, you may wish to start with the 70-29x exams, which are Windows 2003 based, although they are harder exams. Remember that passing ANY exam in the 70 series (except the now-defunct 70-058, and I'm not sure about 70-121 through 70-123) makes you an MCP, so look through all of the exams "Skills being measured" sections (see http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/prepare/examresults.aspx?orderby=ID for a list of exams) and take the one(s) you most know about, following my advice to Manisha in the "Microsoft Releases 7 .NET Exams" news forum. Some say that 70-271 is the easiest exam of all. |
| 7/17/06: Matt from OHIO says: |
I am currently working for IBM as a Network Security Specialist.. and while I was working to obtain my degree in Networking I worked for geek squad.. an essential part of IT field is workstation support, and even though most of these PCs operate in a workgroup enviroment - that can stem into much more like it did for myself. I am now MSCE: Security 2003, CCNA, CCNA, Aplus and Networkplus... A lot of the guys who I used to work with were former 3d game programmers, linux c programmers and very complex hackers of some form or fashion. I am sure several of you feel that it is stupid to get certs but the reputation adn business partnering aspect must also be looked apon. Microsoft will only allow you to be a microsoft partner if you obtain their certs. This is critical to the sales side of things. To each her own but I feel competition on the sales side as well as the technical side and the certification side are essential in any business. |
First Page Previous Page Next Page Last Page
|
|
|
|
